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Senate panel chairman calls for shutting down PSQSA

Asim Yasin
Friday, Oct 11, 2024

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Committee on Science and Technology Senator Kamil Ali Agha expressed displeasure at Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQSA) for being inactive and said it is better to shut it down.

The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology held its meeting presided over by Chairman Senator Kamil Ali Agha here at Parliament House on Thursday. Regarding the PSQCA’s report on several cases where fines were imposed, the chairman sought a comprehensive report on the department’s activities. He expressed displeasure, stating that if the department remains inactive, it would be better to shut it down. Senator Agha added that the PSQCA was established in 1996, and despite the passage of 28 years, no consideration has been given to the expenditure on 31 inspectors. He also inquired about their remunerations and suggested digitizing the entire system.

The committee also held a comprehensive discussion on the implementation status of the recommendations made during its meeting on September 25, 2024. The joint secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology informed the members, that all the funds for the Science Expo have been refunded to the respective firms and organisations. Regarding the compliance report for standards and quality assurance in the cement sector, the chairman asked the Attorney General to handle it. Senator Agha commented that this is not merely a matter of money it also concerns construction materials. He further emphasised that the government should ensure quality protection. Concerning the report on the restructuring process of STEDEC as IRADA, Senator Agha also recommended expediting the restructuring of STEDEC as IRADA.

The Senate Standing Committee also held an in-depth discussion on the roles, functions, and performance of ongoing projects at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and the Council for Works and Housing Research (CWHR). Representatives from NIO also highlighted its international footprint, collaboration, and government-to-government projects. The chair appreciated NIO’s achievements and recommended further expediting its efforts. Similarly, during a detailed briefing by CWHR, the chair recommended the restoration of multi-story buildings and emphasized that during rightsizing, employee rights must not be violated. Senator Kamil Agha also stressed the importance of conducting laboratory tests, noting that the quality of construction materials and water in affected areas is crucial for the future of property buyers. Citing the situation in Faisal Town, the Chair pointed out that despite being developed and populated, the area suffers from water scarcity and poor material quality. He further recommended that testing facilities should be easily accessible and not located far away.

Additionally, the Committee discussed the status of sea intrusion and erosion along the coastal belt with NIO and its allied agencies. The chair emphasized the need for solutions to address erosion, noting that oceanography plays a crucial role, especially as climate change and environmental degradation worsen over time. He further stressed that the unchecked dumping of filth into seawater is causing significant damage, and unless this issue is properly monitored and addressed, it could lead to severe consequences.

Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto highlighted that both Sindh and Balochistan are directly impacted. Acknowledging this, the Chair added that the entire country is being affected by these issues, and close monitoring is essential. The NIO representative mentioned that work on the retaining wall has already begun and specifically noted that the Sur Bunder area of Gwadar is being protected from sea intrusion by the retaining wall.

Lastly, during a detailed presentation on the implementation status of the National Science Technology Innovation Policy, 2022, the secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology recommended convening a joint meeting with the Higher Education Commission due to the overlapping functions of both departments.